The best value in cheap used adventure motorcycles isn’t technically an adventure motorcycle at all. If I were to describe the best used adventure motorcycle and best cheap used adventure bike, I'd want something that was:
1. Capable both on and off road, including highway travel
2. Reliable as all hell
3. Inexpensive to buy and maintain
4. Available with most or all the mods you’d want on an adventure bike (crash bars, bags, off road tires, etc…) already attached
5. A proven model with an active community to tap into
6. Easy to get my hands on
I’ve just described the Kawasaki KLR 650.
Now, technically the KLR 650 falls more into the dual sport category than it does the adventure motorcycle category, but the KLR has been the go-to choice for hundreds of thousands of riders doing adventure style riding for decades now. It’s not the absolute best used adventure bike out there, but in terms of value for your money, nothing beats it.
The KLR is capable both on and off road.
As a dual sport, the KLR is very capable in off road situations. It’s a great bike for forest service roads or even light trail work. It’s more than capable of running BDRs.
The KLR is reliable as all hell.
There’s a reason why you see so many decades-old KLRs on the used market. They just last forever. Aside from a few known common issues (like the infamous doohickey), with proper maintenance, your KLR will outlive you and probably your grandchildren too.
The KLR is inexpensive to buy and maintain.
A quick search of my local FB marketplace returns dozens of currently available KLRs, many around $4000 dollars or less. There are so many of them out there and they last so long that you can almost always find one for a great price.
Maintenance intervals are few and far between (yearly oil changes unless you ride more than 7500 miles a year, etc…) and since they’re so dead reliable, you won’t be taking it to the mechanic for breakdowns very often. Take care of a KLR and it’ll take care of you.
You can almost always find a KLR with most or all of the mods you want already on it.
People buy KLRs for adventure. They’ll pick one up, add crash bars, luggage, better tires, rear racks, and the like so they are all set up to head out and explore and when people sell their bikes, these mods go with them.
The market is flooded with gently used, fully modded KLRs.
The KLR 650 has a HUGE community of riders who have a ton of experience with the bike.
The KLR 650 was first introduced in 1987. Yes there have been a few minor-ish updates along the way but that also means that you’ve got over 30 years of owner experience to tap into.
The KLR is very easy to get your hands on.
Every bike I’ve ever been in the market for has experienced fluctuations in availability in the time I was shopping for it. You know what bike always comes up, no matter what I’m searching for? The Kawasaki KLR 650.
The Kawasaki KLR650 is far from a perfect motorcycle. It’s uncomfortable at times, lacks a lot of modern motorcycle features and has looks that resemble an overweight cockroach. Still, if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck in terms of a bike that’ll take you anywhere you want to go, it can’t be beat.
The Kawasaki KLR 650 may not technically be an adventure bike, but if you’re on a budget and wanting to get into adventure motorcycle riding, it’s very hard to beat. For my money, it's the best used adventure motorcycle money can buy.
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